Apparatus, method and computer program for processing a voice radio signal

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for processing a voice radio signal with a transcription unit configured to convert the voice radio signal into a text signal; an object determination unit configured to determine an object from which the voice radio signal originates; an object localization unit configured to determine position information of the object from which the voice radio signal originates; and an output unit configured to allocate the text signal to the object and to provide the same. The object determination unit is configured to determine a detection probability for at least one object whose position at least partly matches the determined position information. The object determination unit is configured to determine the object with the highest detection probability as the object from which the voice radio signal originates, or, with a very similar detection probability, to determine all objects with the similar detection probability as the object.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of copending InternationalApplication No. PCT/EP2019/081751, filed Nov. 19, 2019, which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety, and additionallyclaims priority from European Application No. EP 18211076.7, filed Dec.7, 2018, which is also incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Embodiments according to the invention relate to an apparatus, a methodand a computer program for processing a voice radio signal.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the maritime sector, in the aviation sector as well as in theland-based sector, currently, no technical solution exists that allowstracing of spoken radio (e.g., the VHF marine radio, aviation radio, VHFland radio, etc.) in connection with transmitter identification.Currently, a system combining the technologies for speech recognition,evaluation of transmitter information data (such as AIS data (shipping)or ADS-B data (aviation)) and radial direction finding is not known.

Nowadays, many versions of radio devices have recording functionsstoring received voice radio signals for a defined time period in orderto be able to replay the same afterwards (last call voice recording).Thus, nowadays, only fragmentary sections of communication histories canbe replayed as audio recording for a short time period. Further,recognizing the senders of radio messages or the allocation of thereceived communication to radio stations located in the receiving area(e.g., ships, airplanes, land vehicles, etc.) is not given. Senders ofradio messages can only be determined indirectly by means of existinginformation systems (such as AIS, ADS-B, GPS data, etc.).

Considering this, there is a need for a concept allowing improvedintelligibility of a received voice radio signal, traceability of pastand possibly missed voice radio signals by history documentation of thesame as well as localization and identification of the sender.

SUMMARY

According to an embodiment, an apparatus for processing a voice radiosignal may have: a transcription unit configured to convert the voiceradio signal into a text signal; an object determination unit configuredto determine an object from which the voice radio signal originates; anobject localization unit configured to determine position information ofthe object from which the voice radio signal originates, wherein theobject localization unit includes at least one radio direction finder;an output unit configured to allocate the text signal to the object andto provide the same; and wherein the object determination unit isconfigured to determine a detection probability for at least one objectwhose position at least partly matches the determined positioninformation, wherein the detection probability defines a degree ofcorrespondence of the position information, determined by means of theobject localization unit, with the actual position of an object, andwherein the object determination unit is configured, with a very similardetection probability, to determine all objects with the similardetection probability as the object, wherein the output unit isconfigured in this case to allocate all these objects with the similardetection probability to the text signal and to also state the detectionprobability, respectively.

According to another embodiment, a method for processing a voice radiosignal may have the steps of: converting the voice radio signal into atext signal by means of a transcription unit; determining an object fromwhich the voice radio signal originates by means of an objectdetermination unit; determining position information of the object fromwhich the voice radio signal originates by means of an objectlocalization unit, wherein the object localization unit includes atleast one radio direction finder; and allocating the text signal to theobject and providing the text signal allocated to the object by means ofan output unit; wherein determining the object includes determining adetection probability for at least one object whose position at leastpartly matches the determined position information and with a verysimilar detection probability, determining all objects with the highestdetection probability as the object from which the voice radio signaloriginates, wherein the detection probability defines a degree ofcorrespondence of the position information, determined by means of theobject localization unit, with the actual position of an object, andwherein in this case of very similar detection probabilities all theseobjects with the similar detection probability are allocated to the textsignal and the detection probability is also stated, respectively.

Another embodiment may have a non-transitory digital storage mediumhaving a computer program stored thereon to perform the inventive methodfor processing a voice radio signal, when said computer program is runby a computer.

An embodiment relates to an apparatus for processing a voice radiosignal comprising a transcription unit configured to convert the voiceradio signal into a text signal. Further, the apparatus comprises anobject determination unit configured to determine an object from whichthe voice radio signal originates. Further, the apparatus comprises anobject localization unit configured to determine position information ofthe object from which the voice radio signal originates; and an outputunit configured to allocate the text signal to the object and to providethe same. A voice radio signal can be a voice message transmitted by aradio signal transmitter to a radio signal receiver, wherein the objectcan comprise both a radio signal transmitter as well as a radio signalreceiver. The text signal, determined by means of the transcriptionunit, can represent the voice radio signal as a message in text form(e.g., ASCII).

This embodiment of the apparatus is based on the finding thatcommunication via radio is easy to trace when the voice radio signal isconverted into a text signal by means of the transcription unit sinceinformation of the radio communication can be determined in the textsignal at any time and hence faulty memories of the voice radiocommunication can be prevented. Further, allocating position informationand/or object identification information of the object to the textsignal allows identification or localization of a sender of the voiceradio signal and hence the radio communication can be documented veryaccurately and well. In particular, for example, in rescue operations atland, in the air or in the maritime area, it is advantageous to be ableto trace the radio communication during an operation as well as after anoperation and to allocate the same to individual objects, such as ships,airplanes or land vehicles. Every object that can emit a voice radiosignal can also comprise an apparatus described herein. Thus, theapparatus can allow that each object participating in the radiocommunication can trace, by means of the apparatus, when and where whichobject has communicated a text signal documented by the apparatus asvoice radio signal.

Thus, it has to be stated that the apparatus is configured to make voiceradio signals intelligible by converting the same into text signals, toread or research content from the voice radio signals by means of thetext signal and to identify and localize the sender of the voice radiosignal.

According to an embodiment, the object localization unit is configuredto determine an area where the object is located with a probability asposition information. The object localization can comprise at least onelocalization apparatus or is configured to communicate with the at leastone localization apparatus to determine a source of the voice radiosignal as the area. The area is, for example, an area having anextension in one dimension (e.g., a line (e.g., signal-beam) indicatingthe direction of the incoming voice radio signal), in two dimensions (anarea of any form, such as a circular area, a circular sector, atriangle, a rectangle, a polygon, etc.) or an extension in threedimensions (e.g., body of any shape, such as spherical area, conicalarea, cuboid area, etc.). The area defines, for example, a directionfrom which the voice radio signal originates, from which the objectlocalization unit can conclude that the object is arranged in this area.Here, the object localization unit can determine a probability withwhich the object is arranged in the area, wherein the probability canindicate how exactly the at least one localization apparatus candetermine the area. Thus, coarse localization becomes already possible,whereby the apparatus can be used, for example, for rescue operations,as the object that has emitted an emergency radio signal can belocalized by means of the object localization unit even with poor voiceintelligibility (e.g., the position of the object is e.g.,unintelligible or is not communicated) in order to send rescue forces inthe direction of the object (e.g., the area).

According to an embodiment, the localization apparatus comprises atleast one radio direction finder. By means of the at least one radiodirection finder, the object localization apparatus can limit a sourceof the voice radio signal to the area. In other words, the area cancomprise the source of the voice radio signal. If, for example, severalradio direction finders are used, the area can be decreased and/or theprobability can be increased or an exact position of the object can bedetermined by means of the object localization unit.

According to an embodiment, the object localization unit is furtherconfigured to receive position data (e.g., GPS positions, courses,routes, speeds, etc.) of objects. Here, for example, not the voice radiosignal is localized but an object arranged within a radius (e.g., up toa maximum distance from the apparatus of 20 km, 50 km, 100 km or 1000km) of the apparatus. This allows the determination of positioninformation of potential objects from which the voice radio signal canoriginate. Optionally, the object localization unit is configured toreceive position data (e.g., GPS positions, courses, routes, speeds,etc.) of objects in the area (from which the voice radio signaloriginates). This does not only allow the determination of an area fromwhich the voice radio signal originates (for example by means of thelocalization apparatus) but additionally the determination of very exactposition data of objects that have possibly emitted the voice radiosignal. Thus, localization (or object determination by means of theobject determination unit) of the object that has emitted the voiceradio signal is not limited to the entire area but to individualpositions within the area. This allows optimized localization andallocation of the voice radio signal to an object.

According to an embodiment, the object localization unit can comprise anAIS receiver, an ADS-B receiver, a radar unit and/or general positiondata receiver or can communicate with the same in order to receive theposition data. The position data can comprise a GPS position, a route, aspeed and/or an altitude relative to sea level. Here, depending on theobject, the position data can be received by a different receiver. Thus,for example, the AIS receiver can receive the position data of ships,the ADS-B receiver the position data of airplanes, the radar unit theposition data of metallic objects, such as ships, airplanes, vehicles,etc., and the general position data receiver the position data of aplurality of possible objects, such as land vehicles. This allowsmultiple use of the apparatus for processing a voice radio signal, bothon land, in water as well as in the air. The specific combination ofreceivers for receiving position data of objects and radio positionfinders determining an area from which the voice radio signal originateswith a probability in the object localization unit allow thedetermination of an object from which the voice radio signal originatesin a very fast and accurate manner. Thus, a voice radio signal can bevery efficiently allocated to an object and its position.

According to an embodiment, the object determination unit can comprisean AIS receiver, an ADS-B receiver and/or a general objectidentification receiver or can communicate with the same to obtainobject identification data of at least one object whose position atleast partly matches the position information determined by the objectlocalization unit. This match can mean, e.g., that the objectdetermination unit compares the position data of objects with the areacomprising the source of the voice radio signal and receives the objectidentification data only of objects in the area. Thus, the objectdetermination unit is configured, for example, to allocate objectidentification data, such as a call number of the maritime mobileservice (MMSI), an object name, a target of the object, a load of theobject and/or a size of the object to an object localized by the objectlocalization unit. Thereby, the voice radio signal can be allocated, bymeans of the apparatus, not only to position information, e.g.,localization of the voice radio signal, but additionally to the objectfrom which the voice radio signal originates. Here, the objectdetermination unit is configured to obtain, for example, via the AISreceiver, object identification data of ships, via the ADS-B receiver,object identification data of airplanes and/or via the general objectidentification receiver of other objects, such as land vehicles, objectidentification data of at least one object. Here, the positioninformation determined by the object localization unit can represent,for example, an exact GPS position, whereby the object determinationunit obtains, for example, the object identification data only from anobject whose position exactly matches the determined positioninformation. When the position information determined by the objectlocalization unit defines, for example, an area, the objectdetermination unit can obtain object identification data from severalobjects whose position is within the area.

According to an embodiment, the object identification data can comprisea call number of the maritime mobile service (MMSI), an object name, atarget of the object, a load of the object and/or a size of the object.Thus, by allocating the call number of the maritime mobile service, auser of the apparatus can very easily contact, for example, the objectfrom which the voice radio signal originates. Further, in a radiocommunication of several objects, by allocating the object name to therespective voice radio signal, different voice radio signals can beallocated to individual objects via the object name in order to improvethe traceability of the radio communication. The target of the object,the load of the object and/or the size of the object can representfurther important object identification data, which can represent,together with the voice radio signal, very detailed information to beprocessed efficiently in a radio communication. Here, it is particularlyadvantageous that the apparatus is configured to provide the voice radiosignal in the form of a text signal together with the objectidentification data (for example via the output unit).

According to an embodiment, the object determination unit is configuredto determine a detection probability for at least one object whoseposition at least partly matches the determined position information.Further, the object determination unit is configured, for example, todetermine the object with the highest detection probability as theobject from which the voice radio signal originates. The detectionprobability defines, for example, a probability according to which thevoice radio signal originates from the object. The detection probabilityallows, for example, the object determination unit to allocate a singleobject to the voice radio signal or the corresponding text signal whenthe object determination unit identifies, for example, several objectswhose position at least partly matches the position informationdetermined by the object localization unit. Thus, the apparatus canunambiguously allocate an object to the voice radio signal or the textsignal.

According to an embodiment, with a very similar detection probability(e.g., a deviation by ±1%, ±2% or ±5%), the object determination unitcan be configured to determine all objects having the similar detectionprobability as the object and the output unit can, for example, beconfigured to allocate all these objects to the text signal in that caseand to also indicate the respective detection probability. Optionally,in that case, the apparatus can be configured to analyze at least twovoice radio signals from the same object that follow each other in quicksuccession (e.g., within a maximum of 5 minutes, within a maximum of 30minutes, within a maximum of 1 hour or within a maximum of 5 hours) inorder to increase the detection probability. The position of the objectcan have changed between the at least two voice radio signals and thischange of position can be compared, for example, by means of the objectdetermination unit to a course or route of objects whose position atleast partly matches the position information. According to anembodiment, the apparatus can be configured to determine by means ofspeech pattern codes whether the at least two voice radio signals thatfollow each other in quick succession originate from the same object.

According to an embodiment, the detection probability defines a degreeof correspondence of the determined position information with an actualposition of an object, wherein the determined position informationrepresents the position information determined by means of the objectlocalization unit. Additionally or alternatively, the objectdetermination unit can determine the detection probability based onprobabilities of correct position information of the object localizationunit. The determined position information can represent, for example, anarea that has been determined by the object localization unit, forexample, by means of a radio direction finder and the actual position ofthe object can be arranged, for example, at the edge of the area or in acenter of the area or only partly overlap with the area, which resultsin a differing degree of correspondence that defines the detectionprobability. Thus, for example, objects close to a center of the areacan have a higher detection probability than objects at an edge of thearea. The additional usage of the probabilities of the correct positioninformation determined by means of the object localization unitadditionally or alternatively allows the incorporation of possibleinaccuracies of the apparatus and hence very accurate identification ofobjects. Here, the probability of correct position information cancorrespond, for example, to a probability allocated to the area by theobject localization unit, which indicates with what probability theobject is arranged in the area determined by the object localizationunit.

According to an embodiment, the object determination unit is configuredto communicate with the transcription unit to determine an objectidentification of the object from the text signal. Thus, for example,the voice radio signal can already comprise an object identification (inthat way, the radio operator emitting the voice radio signal can statehis name and/or a name or identification of the object from which thevoice radio signal is emitted), which can be transcribed by means of thetranscription unit and can be determined by means of the objectdetermination unit from the transcribed text signal. This allowsdetermination of the object with, for example, 100 percent or very highdetection probability by the object determination unit without having tocompare positions of objects with position information determined by theobject localization unit. Optionally, for verification, the comparisoncan still be made.

According to an embodiment, the transcription unit is configured toextract a speech pattern code from the voice radio signal and to providethe same to the object determination unit. Further, the objectdetermination unit can be configured to determine the object from whichthe voice radio signal originates based on the speech pattern code. Thespeech pattern code can be allocated, for example, to a radio operatorwho can be allocated to an object.

According to an embodiment, the apparatus can comprise a database or canbe configured to access the database, wherein the database can comprisespeech pattern codes allocated to radio operators or objects.Alternatively, it is also possible that the apparatus extracts thespeech pattern code from a first voice radio signal and determines theallocated object by means of the object determination unit and thencaches the speech pattern code with the object to detect the speechpattern code in a subsequent second voice radio signal and not having todetermine the object again by means of the object determination unit butto determine the allocated object identification information directlyfrom the cached speech pattern code. In other words, the objectdetermination unit can be configured to determine the objectidentification data of the object first independent of the determinedspeech pattern code and to determine the object identification data ofthe object based on the speech pattern code in a second voice radiosignal having the same speech pattern code.

According to an embodiment, the transcription unit is configured to usea neuronal network to convert the voice radio signal into a text signal.This allows, for example, that the transcription unit detects frequentlyused phrases in the voice radio signals by means of the neuronal networkand hence a very efficient fast and easy conversion of the voice radiosignal into the text signal is enabled.

According to an embodiment, the apparatus is configured to process atleast two voice radio signals simultaneously and/or offset in time.Further, the output unit can be configured to allocate the at least twotext signals to the at least two voice radio signals to the respectiveobject and to provide the same chronologically to the apparatus via auser interface and/or to store the same in a database. This allowstracing of a radio communication course with several voice radio signalsor the research of earlier voice radio signals and allocating the sameto the respective object. Thereby, the apparatus can be configured todocument and provide a documentation of a radio communication withseveral voice radio signals.

According to an embodiment, the output unit is configured to provideboth the text signal, an allocated object, a position of the object aswell as an input time or the voice radio signal to the apparatus via auser interface and/or to store the same in database. Here, for example,the output unit can be configured, for example, to provide the textsignal with the allocated object in the position as text data or tostore the same, wherein, for example, the data can be indicated on theuser interface such as in a chat history. Further, it is also possiblethat card material such as of land, water or air is shown on the userinterface and the object is indicated at the position determined by theobject localization unit with the text signal. Thus, on the userinterface by means of the output unit, for example, the text signal canbe illustrated with the allocated object. Both the user interface aswell as the database enable quick access to the data determined by meansof the apparatus.

According to an embodiment, the object is a ship, an airplane or avehicle.

An embodiment provides a method for processing a voice radio signal,wherein the method comprises converting the voice radio signal into atext signal by means of a transcription unit, determining an object fromwhich the voice radio signal originates by means of an objectdetermination unit, determining position information of the object fromwhich the voice radio signal originates by means of an objectlocalization unit and allocating the text signal to the object andproviding the text signal allocated to the object by means of an outputunit.

An embodiment provides a computer program with a program code forperforming the method described herein when the program runs on acomputer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention will be detailed subsequentlyreferring to the appended drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an apparatus according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an apparatus according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a graphic provision of a textsignal allocated to an object by means of the output unit according toan embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of a graphic provision of a textsignal allocated to an object with a highest detection probability bymeans of the output unit according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of a non-unique identification of anobject from which the voice radio signal originates by means of anapparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a method for processing a voice radiosignal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Before embodiments of the present invention will be discussed in moredetail below with reference to the drawings, it should be noted thatidentical, functionally equal or equal elements, objects and/orstructures are provided with the same or similar reference numbers inthe different figures so that the description of these elementsillustrated in the different embodiments is inter-exchangeable orinter-applicable.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of an apparatus 100 for processinga voice radio signal 110. The apparatus 100 comprises a transcriptionunit 120 configured to convert the voice radio signal 110 into a textsignal 112. Further, the apparatus 100 comprises an object determinationunit 130 configured to determine an object 200 from which the voiceradio signal 110 originates. Additionally, the apparatus 100 comprisesan object localization unit 140 configured to determine positioninformation 142 of the object 200 from which the voice radio signal 110originates and the apparatus 100 further comprises an output unit 150configured to allocate the text signal 112 to the object 200 and toprovide the same.

According to an embodiment, the object localization unit 140 can beconfigured to determine an area 220 as position information 142 wherethe object 200 is allocated with a probability, wherein the probabilitycan indicate an accuracy of the object localization unit 140 indetermining the position information. According to FIG. 1, the area 220can have a three-dimensional extension. However, it is also possiblethat the area 220 has a two-dimensional (e.g., an area) or aone-dimensional (e.g., a signal-beam) extension. For determining theposition information 142, the object localization unit 140 can compriseat least one localization apparatus or can be configured to communicatewith the at least one localization apparatus to determine the area 220comprising the source of the voice radio signal or to determine an exactposition 210 of the object.

According to an embodiment, the localization apparatus can include atleast one radio direction finder. Here, it should be noted that theobject localization unit 140 can be configured to determine an area 220as position information 142 when the object localization unit 140comprises only one radio direction finder or is configured tocommunicate with only one radio direction finder. If the objectlocalization unit 140 comprises at least two radio direction finders oris configured to communicate with at least two radio direction finders,by considering the system inaccuracies, high approximation to the exactposition 210 can be determined, as triangulation is possible in thiscase.

According to an embodiment, the object localization unit 140 can furtherbe configured to receive position data, e.g., the exact object position210, from objects 200 in the area 220. Thus, the apparatus 100 can beconfigured to determine the area 220 at first and to subsequentlydetermine position data 210 of objects 200 in the area and to determineor to provide the position data 210 as position information 142 insteadof the area 220.

According to an embodiment, the object localization unit 140 can beconfigured to detect whether an area or exact position of the object 200can be determined with the radio direction finder, and to decidethereupon whether position data 210 of objects 200 are to be detected inthe area 220. Here, the object localization unit 140 can be configuredto receive position data 210 when only one area is determined with theone or several radio direction finders or can decide to receive noposition data 210 when the object localization unit 140 can determinethe position data 210 already by means of the several radio directionfinders.

According to an embodiment, the object localization unit 140 cancomprise an AES receiver, an ADS-B receiver, a radar unit and/or ageneral position data receiver or can be configured to communicate withthe same to receive the position data 210. As illustrated in FIG. 1, theposition data 210 can comprise, for example, a GPS position andadditionally or alternatively a route, a speed and/or an altituderelative to sea level. Here, the list of possible position datareceivers and position data 210 is to be considered as exemplary and notas limiting.

In the following, features and functionalities of the objectlocalization unit 140 will be discussed in other words, wherein inparticular ships and airplanes will be dealt with as objects 200 to belocalized.

Locating ships as well as locating airplanes can take place by means ofthe object localization unit 140 with different technologies. AIStechnology (locating ships), ADS-B technology (aircrafts), radar devicesand radio direction finders are suitable systems.

AIS stands for Automatic Identification System (ETSI EN 303 098-1,2013-05, p. 9). Generally, the AIS system allows, e.g., monitoring ofmaritime traffic and serves to prevent collision between ships. Thefunctional basis of the system is the equipment of ships with an AIStransponder in combination with an electronic nautical chart (ECDIS). Ina time division multiple access method (TDMA), the transponder emitsdata, e.g., on the frequencies (161.975 MHz and 162.025 MHz) (ITU Radiocommunication Bureau, p. 1 and p. 67) that can be received from otherships (also by AIS transponder) or land stations. The data includes,e.g., information such as ship identification, current GPS position,course, speed and other ship-related data. This data can be shown, forexample, on an electronic nautical chart. When the ships are equippedwith AIS, they are accordingly visible for others and can be seen byothers. The object localization unit 140 is configured to receive, e.g.,these data and to process the same for determining the positioninformation 142.

ADS-B stands for Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast (seespecifications in Specification in EUROCAE ED 129 “TECHNICALSPECIFICATION FOR A 1090 MHZ EXTENDED SQUITTER ADS-B GROUND SYSTEM”) andallows, similar to the AIS system in the maritime field, obtaininginformation on aircrafts within the range of the ADS-B receiver. Whenaircrafts are equipped with ADS-B transponders, they transmit, e.g., on1090 MHz their identification, course, speeds, current position andother data. Thereby, aircrafts become visible for other aircrafts andair traffic controllers. The object localization unit 140 is configuredto receive and process, e.g., these data to determine the positioninformation 142.

In contrary to AIS systems and ADS-B systems, radar units are notdependent on the mutual exchange of data. The basis of radar locating isthe reflectivity of electrically conductive surfaces. Most ships,airplanes and land vehicles (examples for objects 200) have a metallicbody reflecting an incident electromagnetic wave. Accordingly, radarscan emit a high-frequency transmission pulse and can subsequentlyreceive the echo. As the propagation speed of radio waves is known(speed of light), the distance from the radar station to the ship can bedetermined from the time measurement between the transmission pulse andthe echo. To determine a relative angle of the echo signal, mostly,mechanically rotating antennas are used that emit high-frequency pulsesin all directions and receive the echoes from the same directions.

Both AIS systems as well as radar systems allow a chart display ofseveral ships within respective range of the units. In the context ofcommunication safety, AIS, ADS-B and radar locating merely determine theamount of potential communication participants.

Radio direction finding systems measure the angle of incidence of anelectromagnetic wave on the direction finding antenna and thereby enabledetermining the direction from which the radio signal originates.Basically, a direction finding system “analyses” the electromagneticwave field surrounding the direction finding antenna mostly consistingof several dipole elements. For this, different direction findingmethods exist. Interferometers and Doppler systems are commonly used.The interferometer principle uses the direct measurement of the phasedifference between the individual elements of the direction findingantenna. Knowing the distances between antenna elements and speed oflight allows calculation of the bearing angle by geometrical approaches.Interferometer direction finders usually need one receiver per antennaelement. Compared to Doppler systems, such systems allow directionfinding of very short radio pulses, which is significant for radiomonitoring. In the Doppler principle, the individual antenna radiatorsof the direction finding antenna are switched (commutated) such that thedirection finding antenna finally represents a virtual antenna vibratormoving at constant speed on a circular track in the incidentelectromagnetic wave. If the same moves towards the wave, the receivedfrequency will increase according to Doppler. The received frequencydecreases when the virtual antenna moves away from the wave. Thisresults in frequency modulation at the receiver input, which isdemodulated during signal processing and processed to a “directionfinding phase signal”. If the direction of incidence of the radio signalchanges, the phase position of the direction finding phase signalchanges accordingly. Determining the bearing angle takes place bymeasuring the stated phase position. Since both the relative angle aswell as the distance to the communication source should be known forlocating, locating should not be performed with a single directionfinding system. Exact or very exact radio locating can take place bycross bearing. However, this involves a further direction finding systemat a clearly distant installation location. For reasons of space, theusage of a radio locating system by cross bearing is almost impossibleon a ship or an aircraft. However, in land-based applications such assea lane control or flight control, several radio direction findingsystems at different locations can be used.

According to an embodiment, the object determination unit 130 can alsocomprise an AIS receiver, an ADS-B receiver and/or a general objectidentification receiver or can be configured to communicate with thesame to obtain object identification data 132 of at least one object 200whose position 210 at least partly matches the position information 142determined by the object localization unit 140. Here, it is possiblethat the object determination unit 130 and the object localization unit140 share the same AIS receiver, ADS-B receiver, or both the objectdetermination unit 130 as well as the object localization unit 140 areconfigured to communicate with the same AIS receiver or ADS-B receiver.Further, the object localization unit 140 can be configured to providethe position information 142 to the object determination unit 130 sothat the object determination unit 130 can compare the position 210 ofthe object 200 to the position information 142. Thus, it is possiblethat the object determination unit 130 determines, for example, onlyobject identification data 132 of objects 200 that at least partlycomprise the position information 142, so that it is ensured that theobjects 200 have emitted the voice radio signal 110 with highprobability.

According to an embodiment, the object identification data 132 comprisea call number of the maritime mobile service (MMSI), an object name, atarget of the object, a load of the object and/or a size of the object.Here, the list of object identification data is to be considered asexemplarily and not as limiting.

According to an embodiment, the object determination unit 130 isconfigured to determine a detection probability for at least one object200 whose position 210 at least partly matches the determined positioninformation 142. The detection probability can define, for example, withwhat probability or certainty the determined object 200 has emitted thevoice radio signal 110. Further, the object determination unit 130 canbe configured to determine the object with the highest detectionprobability as the object 200 from which the voice radio signal 110originates. Thus, for example, only data of the object 200 having thehighest detection probability are determined as object identificationdata 132.

According to an embodiment, the detection probability determines adegree of correspondence of the determined position information 142 withan actual position 210 of an object 200. The closer the object 200 isarranged, for example, to the determined position information 142, thehigher the detection probability. Additionally or alternatively, theobject determination unit 130 can be configured to determine thedetection probability based on probabilities of correct positioninformation 142 of the object localization unit 140. Thereby, the objectdetermination unit 130 can incorporate uncertainties or possible errorsof the object localization unit 140 in the determination of the object200.

According to an embodiment, the object determination unit 130 can beconfigured to communicate with the transcription unit 120 to determinean object identification 132 of the object 200 from the text signal 112.

According to an embodiment, the transcription unit 120 is configured toextract a speech pattern code 122 from the voice radio signal 110 and toprovide the same to the object determination unit 130, wherein theobject determination unit 130 can be configured to determine the object200 from which the voice radio signal 110 originates based on the speechpattern code 122. Here, the object determination unit 130 can relatespeech pattern codes 122, for example, of persons on board of a ship, anairplane or a land vehicle to the respective object (e.g., the ship, theairplane or the land vehicle) and thereby determine the object.According to an embodiment, the object determination unit 130 canprovide the object determined in that manner as object identificationdata 132.

According to an embodiment, the transcription unit 120 can be configuredto use a neuronal network to convert the voice radio signal 110 into atext signal 112. Thus, the apparatus 100 comprises an advantageoustranscription unit 120 since radio voice signals 110 can be convertedinto a text signal 112 very quickly by means of the neuronal network.

According to an embodiment, the transcription unit 120 can comprise analready existing speech processing system for converting a voice message(e.g., the voice radio signal 110) into the text signal 112. Thus, thetranscription unit 120 can comprise known speech recognition software,such as described briefly below. For decades, automatic recognition andintelligibility of spoken language by computers has been the subject ofintensive research. Automatic speech recognition is a method allowingcomputers to automatically detect spoken language as data andsubsequently make it available for processing. Currently, speechrecognition software for speech processing and independent speechrecognition is available by several providers and in use.

According to an embodiment, the apparatus 100 is configured to processat least two voice radio signals 110 simultaneously and/or offset intime. Here, the at least two voice radio signals 110 can originate fromdifferent objects at different positions. Further, the output unit 150can be configured to allocate at least two text signals 112 of the atleast two voice radio signals 110, determined by means of thetranscription unit 110, to the respective object 200 and to provide thesame in chronological order via a user interface of the apparatus 100and/or to store the same in a database. Thus, the apparatus 100 is, forexample, configured to document radio communication with the at leasttwo voice radio signals 110 in a traceable manner.

According to an embodiment, the output unit 150 is configured to provideboth the text signal 112, an allocated object 200, a position 210 of theobject 200 as well as in input time of the voice radio signal 110 via auser interface of the apparatus 100 and/or to store the same in adatabase. Here, the output unit 150 can receive the text signal 112 fromthe transcription unit 120, the position of the object from the objectlocalization unit 140 via the position information 142 and can receivethe allocated object via the object determination unit 130, for example,by means of the object identification data 132. The output unit 150 canbe configured to process the text signal, the allocated object, theposition of the object and the input time of the voice radio signal 110such that a user of the apparatus 100 can trace or research a history ofa radio communication very easily and efficiently.

According to an embodiment, the object 200 can be a ship, an airplane orvehicle.

According to an embodiment, the apparatus is configured to comprise atleast one of the following three points:

-   -   In speech recognition, the apparatus 100 can comprise a        programmed deep neuronal network for maritime speech recognition        that has been trained or can be trained by means of the        apparatus.    -   In ship identification or identification of an airplane or land        vehicle, the apparatus 100 can comprise a developed algorithm,        e.g., in the object identification unit 130, which identifies        and localizes one or several objects based on the input data        112, 122 and/or 142 (see FIG. 2 “system drawing—block diagram”).    -   Concatenation of speech recognition and object recognition.

The following embodiments will illustrate the context betweenidentification and localization in other words. The same relate to fourcases of application:

-   -   a. A fully equipped ship    -   AIS system and one radio device on board    -   b. A rudimentarily equipped ship    -   Only one radio device    -   c. A fully equipped aircraft    -   ADS-B transponder system and one radio device on board    -   d. A rudimentarily equipped aircraft    -   Only one radio device on board

a. Fully Equipped Ship

AIS system and one radio device are, e.g., on board.

Scenario

A ship's captain reports, e.g., per radio on channel 16. The AIStransponder emits, e.g., continuously, the respective ship information(MMSI, the name of the ship, position, speed, course and other data).

Localization

Localization by radio direction finder:

While the captain talks, the direction of the radio signal is found bythe apparatus 100. Here, e.g., the direction of the direction findingstation to the ship is determined. In the sense of localization, byknowing the radio direction finding deviations of the direction findingsystem, e.g., a cone (example for an area 220) becomes known where theship object 200 is located. The processing algorithm of the apparatus100 registers this cone as area with increased detection probability.Further, evaluating the radio signal level has an influence on thedistribution of the probabilities on a signal-beam (example for an area220).

If, additionally, direction finding is to be performed from a differentlocation with a further direction finding system, a further “probabilitycone” will result. Both probability areas are processed by thealgorithm, which results in a limited area (e.g., area 220) withincreased localization probability (e.g., detection probability). Here,it becomes clear that rudimentary localization can already take placewith one direction finding system. Evaluating the radio signal level andusing further direction finding systems increases the localizationaccuracy.

Here, it can already be stated that object localization has taken place.Finally, one zone (e.g., the area 220) from which a radio message hasbeen emitted is known.

Increasing the Localization Accuracy by Evaluating the AIS Data:

From the received AIS data, e.g., position data (GPS positions 210,courses, speeds) and identification data (MMSI, name of the ship, portof destination, load, size of the ship, etc.) of the ships within thereceiving range of the unit are obtained. By measuring the time betweenthe current time and the times of the AIS messages, the current shippositions can be determined more accurately taking into account thecourses of the ships and speeds of the ships.

If one or several ships (object 200) are in the already determinedprobability zone (example for an area 220, field with GPS positions andallocated detection probabilities), a ship position 210 having thehighest probability will be detected as radio signal source. The GPSposition, which is obtained from AIS data and corrected, terminates thelocalization with the maximum possible system accuracy.

Identification

The identification is derived, e.g., from the localization. All relevantidentification data, such as MMSI, name of the ship, port ofdestination, load, size of the ship, etc., are obtained from theallocated AIS message that includes a detected GPS position 210.

Transcription

After receiving a voice signal, for example, transcription takes placelocally and automated, by means of the transcription unit 120 based onthe voice message transmitted via VHF maritime radio (e.g., voice radiosignal 110). For this, for example, a neuronal network is used, whichwas been developed specifically for detecting standard marinecommunication phrases. By linking the transcription system 120 to thetransmitter localization (e.g., object localization unit 140) andidentification (e.g., object determination unit 130) received voicemessages can be retrieved in written form (e.g., text signal 112) andcan be allocated to the respective localized ships, such that past radiomessages (e.g., voice radio signal 110) can be traced via a userinterface. If transcribed voice messages (e.g., text signal 112) includeerrors or non-detected voice messages, subsequent correction is possiblevia a feedback loop, such that the detection rate of the deep neuronalnetwork can be additionally optimized over time.

b. Rudimentarily Equipped Ship

Only one radio device is, e.g., on board.

Scenario

A ship's captain reports per radio, e.g., on channel 16. As the shiphas, e.g., no AIS transponder, the respective ship information (MMSI,name of the ship, position, speed, course and other data) is notemitted.

Localization

Localization by radio direction finding and evaluating the signalstrength takes place, for example, in the same way as the localizationof a fully equipped ship. As the ship emits no IIS data, there is aprobability that the ship object is not within the determinedprobability zone or the detection probability of other surrounding shipsis rated as being too low to determine a unique GPS position. Therefore,localizing ships without AIS transponder is less accurate in comparison.Further, there is even potential of faulty detection when a fullyequipped ship whose emitted GPS position is rated as being highlyprobable is within the determined probability zone.

Identification

In this scenario, identification is, e.g., not necessarily possible inautomated manner. It can be assumed that a radio signal originates froma ship not needing to have AIS equipment or where the AIS system isdefect or switched off.

Transcription

The transcription functions the same way as the transcription on a fullyequipped ship as the transcription operates locally only based on thereceived VHF radio and is hence independent of the equipment of the shiptransmitting the voice messages.

c. Fully Equipped Aircraft

ADS-B transponder system and one radio device are, e.g., on board.

Scenario

A pilot reports per radio, e.g., on the known tower frequency (118-137MHz). The ADS-B transponder continuously radiates the respectiveinformation (identification, position, speed, course and other data).

Localization

Localization by radio direction finder:

While the pilot speaks, direction finding of the radio signal isperformed. Here, e.g., the direction from the direction finding stationto the aircraft is determined. In the sense of localization, by knowingthe direction finding deviations of the direction finding system, e.g.,a cone, becomes known within which the aircraft is located. Theprocessing algorithm registers this cone as area with increased (e.g.,the voice radio signal 110) (area 220) detection probability. Further,evaluating the radio signal level has an influence on the distributionof the probabilities on the signal-beam (area 220).

If, additionally, direction finding is to be performed from a differentlocation with a further direction finding system, a further “probabilitycone” will result. Both probability areas are processed, e.g., by thealgorithm, which results in a limited area (area 220) with increasedlocalization probability. Here, it becomes clear that rudimentarylocalization has already been performed with one direction findingsystem. Evaluating the radio signal level and using further directionfinding systems increases the localization accuracy.

Here, it can already be stated that object localization has taken place.Finally, a zone from which a radio message has been emitted is known.

Increasing the localization accuracy by evaluating the ADS-B data:

From the received ADS-B data, position data 210 (GPS positions, courses,speeds) and identification data (identification, aircraft type, etc.) ofthe aircrafts (object 200) within the receiving range of the unit areobtained. By measuring the time between the current time and the timesof the ADS-B messages, the current positions of the aircrafts can bedetermined more accurately taking into account the courses and speeds.

If one or several aircrafts are within the already determinedprobability zone (field with GPS positions and allocated detectionprobabilities), an aircraft position having the highest probability willbe detected, e.g., as radio signal source. The GPS position, which isobtained from ADS-B data and corrected, terminates the localization withthe maximum possible system accuracy.

Identification

The identification is derived, e.g., from the localization. All relevantidentification data, such as identification, aircraft type and otherdata are obtained, e.g., from the allocated ADS-B message that includesa detected GPS position.

d. Rudimentarily Equipped Aircraft (e.g., UL-Ultralight)

Only one radio device is, e.g., on board.

Scenario

One pilot reports per radio, e.g., on the known tower frequency (118-137MHz). As the aircraft has, e.g., no AIS transponder, the respectiveinformation (identification, aircraft type, position, speed, course andother data) is not emitted.

Localization

Localization by radio direction finding and evaluating the signalstrength takes place, e.g., in the same way as the localization of afully equipped aircraft. As the airplane or helicopter emits no ADS-Bdata, there is a probability that the object is not within thedetermined probability zone or the detection probability of otheraircrafts is rated as being too low to determine a unique GPS position.In comparison, localizing the aircrafts without transponders is lessaccurate. Further, there is even a potential of faulty detection when afully equipped aircraft whose emitted GPS position is rated as beinghighly probable is within the determined probability zone.

Identification

In this scenario, identification is, e.g., not necessarily possible inan automated manner. It can be assumed that a radio signal originatesfrom an aircraft not needing to have ADS-B equipment or where thetransponder system is defect or switched off.

In usage on land, e.g., rescue services and disaster control, stationaryor mobile (vehicles) mission controls are provided with the apparatus100, in particular with transcription unit 120, object determinationunit 130 as well as object localization unit 140 (e.g., radio directionfinder) in order to trace radio messages (e.g., a voice radio signal110) from deployed (in service) units. Thereby, assessment of thesituation and documentation of the situation in mission control could beensured analogously in the field of usage in the maritime sector andaviation sector.

The effect of the apparatus 100 for automated transcription of the voiceradio signal 110 and for simultaneous identification of the sender aswell as its localization is making the communication in radio moresecure. The communication participants (e.g., the object 200) aresupported in that they clearly understand what has been spoken (speechrecognition), who has spoken (identification) and where the object islocated (locating/localization). By the technology, the traceability ofthe complex communication structure in the maritime sector, air trafficas well as further fields of application is to be increased. Anautomated transcription system (e.g., transcription unit 120) puttingthe received radio communication in writing locally and independent ofthe speaker and storing the same supplemented by a linked transmitterdetection serves mainly to support and relieve coastal radio stations,maritime search and rescue organizations, public authorities as well asa ship's crew in fulfilling their tasks. Further, the usage supportsnautical training when using ship guiding simulators. In aviation, thesystem serves to increase the security of communication and ease thework of air traffic controllers, among others. Similar advantages can beidentified for further fields of application.

Maritime Applications:

Rescue organizations, such as DGzRS (German Maritime Search and RescueService) or also the Havariekommando (Central Command for MaritimeEmergencies) would heavily profit from secure communication duringrescue operations. By identifying, position determining as well astracing the identification, position determination as well as tracing ofthe emergency call of a damaged ship, rescue operations can be organizedfaster and more effectively.

Water police, coastguard, VTS (vessel traffic service) service providersand other organizations where the function monitoring represents anessential aspect of their work could also use the presented technologyalso in an advantageous manner.

In the apparatus 100 described herein, the focus can also be placed onintegratability of the technology into existing systems. Possiblemanufacturers of ECDIS (electronic charge display and informationsystem) should be able to integrate the apparatus 100 by a standardizedprotocol.

Application in Aviation:

A possible usage scenario is monitoring the coastlines from the air. Byusing an aviation-compatible direction finding system, the technology(the apparatus 100) can also be integrated in a helicopter. By therespective flight altitude and speed of a helicopter, communicationmonitoring at sea is enabled for a significantly greater area.Manufacturers of helicopter glass cockpits should also be able tointegrate this application.

Further Applications:

Support of search and rescue organizations inland, such as whenmonitoring coastal waters or when organizing rescue operations at land,for example when coordinating police operations, emergency doctoroperations, fire rescue operations or operations of non-profitorganizations, such as mountain rescue.

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of an apparatus 100 according to anembodiment of the present invention. The apparatus 100 is configured toreceive a voice radio signal 110 that can represent a voice signal(e.g., analog or digital) by means of a radio device 230 (receiver).Thus, the voice radio signal 110 can be emitted by an object and can bereceived by the radio device 230. Optionally, the apparatus 100 cancomprise the radio device 230, wherein the apparatus 100 can thus alsobe configured to emit a voice radio signal 110 with the radio device 230and simultaneously further process the actually emitted voice radiosignal 110 by means of the apparatus 100. According to an embodiment,the radio device 230 can be any radio device or any voice signal source(aviation radio band for aviation radio, maritime radio band formaritime radio and/or emergency services radio for land radio).

According to an embodiment, the voice radio signal 110 can betransmitted to a transcription unit 120 of the apparatus 100 by a radiodevice receiver of the radio device 230, such that the apparatus 100 canprocess the voice radio signal 110. The transcription unit 120 can beconsidered as automated transcription system of radio messages, whereinthe transcription unit 120 is configured to convert the voice radiosignal 110 into a text signal 112. For this, the transcription unit 120can comprise speech recognition 124 that can convert the voice radiosignal 110 into the text signal 112 (for example into a message in textform (e.g., ASCII)).

Further, the transcription unit 120 can comprise, for example, speechpattern identification 121, whereby the transcription unit 120 can beconfigured to extract a speech pattern code 122 from the voice radiosignal 110 and provide the same to an object determination unit 130 ofthe apparatus 100. The speech pattern code 122 can form a unique IDallocated to the radio message pattern by which an object from which thevoice radio signal 110 originates can be identified. Identification bymeans of speech pattern code can be performed by the objectdetermination unit 130.

According to an embodiment, the transcription unit 120 is configured touse a neuronal network to convert the voice radio signal 110 into thetext signal 112.

According to an embodiment, the apparatus 100 comprises an objectlocalization unit 140 configured to determine position information 142of the object from which the voice radio signal 110 originates.According to an embodiment, the object localization unit 140 cancomprise at least one radio direction finder 144 ₁ to 144 _(n) (e.g.,part of a localization apparatus) or can be configured to communicatewith the at least one radio direction finder 144 ₁ to 144 _(n) todetermine direction finding data 142 a ₁ to 142 a _(n) as positioninformation 142. Thus, the object localization unit 140 can comprise nradio direction finders 144 ₁ to 144 _(n) or can be configured tocommunicate with n radio direction finders 144 ₁ to 144 _(n), wherein nrepresents a positive integer number. Thus, the object localization unit140 can perform direction determinations of a radio signal, e.g., thevoice radio signal 110 by means of the radio direction finders 144 ₁ to144 _(n), wherein usage of several direction finders 144 ₁ to 144 _(n)allows position determination of the radio source. If only one radiodirection finder is used, for example, only a coarse area where theradio source (the object) is arranged can be determined as positioninformation 142. If, however, several direction finders 144 ₁ to 144_(n) exist and are used, a very exact position of the radio source canbe determined by means of the object localization unit 140, for example,by means of cross bearing.

According to an embodiment, the object localization unit 140 can furthercomprise a GPS receiver 144, an ADS-B receiver 146, an AIS receiver 147,a general position data receiver 148 and/or a compass 149 or can beconfigured to communicate with the same to receive the position data,such as GPS data 142 b ₁, ADS-B data 142 b ₂, AIS data 142 b ₃ and/orfurther other general position data 142 b ₄ and 142 b ₅. The positiondata 142 b ₁ to 142 b ₅ can comprise positions of objects located withinan area where the apparatus 100 has determined an origin of the voiceradio signal 110 with a specific probability. This area can result, forexample, from the direction finding data 142 a ₁ to 142 a _(n).According to an embodiment, together with the position data 142 b ₁ to142 b ₅, the direction finding data 142 a ₁ to 142 a _(n) can form theposition information 142 determined by the object localization unit 140.Optionally, the objection localization unit 140 can further comprise aradar unit or can be configured to communicate with the same to receivefurther or alternative position data.

According to an embodiment, the GPS receiver 145 can be configured todetermine the own position of the apparatus 100. For this, additionallyor alternatively, the compass 149 can be used, wherein the same candetermine its own heading, e.g., of the object where the apparatus 100is arranged. Determining the own position or own heading is advantageousin that the position of objects from which the voice radio signal 110originates can be determined very quickly, efficiently and in relationto the position or orientation of the apparatus 100 or the object withthe apparatus 100.

According to an embodiment, the ADS-B receiver 146 can be configured toperform position determination of ADS-B emitting objects, such as aposition of aircrafts in the environment. According to an embodiment,the AIS receiver 147 can be configured to perform position determinationof an AIS emitting objects, such as a position of ships in theenvironment. According to an embodiment, the general position datareceiver 148 can be configured to perform position determination andidentification of any objects, such as land vehicles. Thus, the objectlocalization unit 140 enables localizing most diverse objects, such asships, airplanes and/or land vehicles.

According to an embodiment, the position data 142 b ₁ to 142 b ₅ can beGPS positions, a route, a speed and/or an altitude relative to sealevel.

Further, the apparatus 100 comprises the object determination unit 130configured to determine an object from which the voice radio signal 110originates. According to an embodiment, the object determination unit130 can also be referred to as automatic object identification withposition determination. According to an embodiment, the objectdetermination unit 130 receives the text signal 112 and/or the speechpattern code 120 from the transcription unit 120 and the positioninformation 142 that can include an area from which the voice radiosignal originates as direction finding data 142 a ₁ to 142 a _(n) andcan include position data 142 b ₁ to 142 b ₅ from the objectlocalization unit 140.

According to an embodiment, the object determination unit 130 can bedivided into two processing units. The first processing unit 134 can beconfigured to perform general object recognition, such as shiprecognition, aircraft recognition and/or land vehicle recognition. Thus,the first processing unit 134 can process, for example, the positioninformation 142. For this, the object determination 130 can beconfigured to compare the position data 142 b ₁ to 142 b ₅ of theposition information 142 with the direction finding data 142 a ₁ to 142a _(n) of the position information 142 to determine objects from whichthe voice radio signal 110 originates with a specific detectionprobability (which can be determined by the object determination unit130). The position information 142 comprises, for example, a position oran area (e.g., the direction finding data 142 a ₁ to 142 a _(n)) fromwhich the voice radio signal 110 originates and general position data142 b ₁ to 142 b ₅, which can comprise positions of all objects in anenvironment of the apparatus 100. Thus, the object determination unit130 can be configured to determine a match between the position data 142b ₁ to 142 b ₅ and the direction finding data 142 a ₁ to 142 a _(n) andto allocate a detection probability to the objects determined in thatmanner, wherein the detection probability depend on the match. In otherwords, the first processing unit 134 performs, for example,identification and position determination of objects (ships, aircraftsor land vehicles) that transmit a radio signal 110 with a detectionprobability.

According to an embodiment, the detection probability can define adegree of correspondence of the determined position information 142 a ₁to 142 a _(n) with an actual position 142 b ₁ to 142 b ₄ of an object.Further or alternatively, the object determination unit 130 can beconfigured to determine the detection probability based on probabilitiesof correct position information 142 of the object localization unit 140,wherein correct can mean that the position data receivers 145, 146, 147,148, 149 comprise an inaccuracy in determining the position data 142 b ₁to 142 b ₅ that is less than a lower limit.

According to an embodiment, the objects detected in that way (e.g.,water vehicles, aircraft or land vehicles) are transmitted, togetherwith the detection probability, the position, the course and/or furtherdata, by the first processing unit 134 to a second processing unit 136of the object determination unit 130. According to an embodiment, theobject determination unit 130 can be configured, e.g., by means of thesecond processing unit 136, to apply an algorithm for object datarendering to the detected objects (e.g., by means of the firstprocessing unit 134). By means of the algorithm, on the one hand, allair, water and land vehicles can be combined and, on the other hand,information on the vehicles (position, course, etc.), radio message text112, speech pattern code 122, direction finding, etc., can be mergedinto one or several objects. In that way, the object determination unit130 can be configured, for example, to determine the object having thehighest detection probability as the object from which the voice radiosignal 110 originates and hence reduce all detected objects to oneobject. According to an embodiment, the object determination unit 130 isconfigured to determine an object identification of the object from thetext signal 112 and hence reduce the detected objects to this oneobject. According to an embodiment, the object determination unit can beconfigured to determine the object based on the speech pattern code 122from which the voice radio signal originates and hence reduce thedetected object to this one object.

According to an embodiment, the object determination unit 130 can mergethe data of several objects when several voice radio signals 110 areprocessed simultaneously by the apparatus 100 or when the algorithm forobject data rendering determines several objects that are considered foremitting the voice radio signal 110.

Further, the apparatus 100 comprises an output unit 150 configured toallocate the text signal 112 to the object and to provide the same.According to an embodiment, the output unit 150 can comprise aninterface 152 for a data protocol and/or an internal graphical interface154. By means of the interface 152, the data (e.g., text signal togetherwith object identification and position and time) determined by theapparatus 100 can be transmitted to an external device or externalsoftware to provide the data for a user of the apparatus 100. In thatway, the data can, for example, be transmitted to ECDIS 153 and hence beillustrated in electronic nautical chart. According to an embodiment,the data are illustrated on a monitor 155 comprised by the apparatus 100via the internal graphical interface 154.

According to an embodiment, the output unit 150 can be configured toallocate at least two text signals 112 of at least two voice radiosignals 110 to the respective object and to provide the samechronologically via a user interface of the apparatus (for example, themonitor 155) and/or to store the same in a database (for example, viathe interface 152).

In other words, FIG. 2 shows an apparatus system and methodautomatically putting into writing voice messages (e.g., the voice radiosignal 110) transmitted via VHF maritime radio or aviation radio, i.e.,illustrating the same and optionally ensuring reliable sender allocationof each received voice message by linking different information andcommunication technologies on board (AIS, ADS-B, GPS as well as radiodirection finding systems). FIG. 2 illustrates the system design as ablock diagram.

According to an embodiment, the system (e.g., the apparatus 100)consists of one or several computer systems and, e.g., further datasources that are processed as input data. As output (e.g., output unit150), the system has an internal graphical interface 154 suitable forillustrating voice messages (e.g., the voice radio signal 110 as textsignal 112) and identified objects on any monitor 155. Further, thesystem provides a data protocol interface 152 (e.g., NMEA) that can beprocessed by other information systems (e.g., ECDIS—electronic chartdisplay information system 153) (see FIG. 2).

The following data or signals are processed as input, for example(wherein any combinations are possible):

-   -   a) Voice Signal (e.g., the voice radio signal 110)—The voice        signal is, e.g., an analog or digital signal that represents a        received radio message and that can be provided by any radio        device 230 or an interposed signal digitalization.    -   b) Direction Finding Data 142 a ₁-142 a _(n) (direction finder 1        to n 144 ₁-144 _(n))—The signals 142 a ₁-142 a _(n) represent        the direction finding data that are connected to the system via,        e.g., any protocol. The data 142 a ₁-142 a _(n) include, for        example, direction finding, signal strength, adjusted frequency        and other data.    -   c) GPS Data 142 b ₁—The GPS data 142 b ₁ are important, e.g.,        for determining the own position (e.g., own watercraft,        aircraft, land vehicle, direction finding station of the        maritime traffic center, direction finding station of an        airport). Further, optionally, data such as the UTC time and        variations at the current position are needed.    -   d) ADS-B Data 142 b ₂—ADS-B data 142 b ₂ are normally obtained        by an ADS-B receiver 146. The same include, e.g., all relevant        data of an aircraft, such as aircraft identification, position        above ground, altitude, speeds, course and further data.    -   e) AIS Data 142 b ₃—Analog to the ADS-B data 142 b ₂, the AIS        data 142 b ₃ represent the position information of watercrafts        and are received, e.g., by means of an AIS receiver 147. The        data 142 b ₃ include, e.g., also the ship identification,        position, speed, course and other data.    -   f) General Position Data Receiver 148—The system should also be        able to process any data protocol by an extension. It is also        possible to develop proprietary position determination and        protocol systems extending the application of the system to        other fields of application (for example land, mountains, etc.).    -   g) Compass 149—The system optionally needs compass data for        determining the orientation of the own object (e.g., own        watercraft, aircraft, land vehicle, direction finding station of        the maritime traffic center, direction finding station of an        airport). Normally, the compass data 142 b ₅ are allocated to        the orientation of the direction finding antenna. Accordingly,        e.g., respective compass information are needed per direction        finding antenna. For stationary direction finding antennas, the        orientation can be entered directly into the system.

According to an embodiment, processing is performed in three steps. Theanalog or digital radio message (e.g., the voice radio signal 110) isfirst converted into e.g., an ASCII text message 112, by means of anautomatic transcription system 120. In parallel, for example, the senderis subject to direction finding by one or several direction findingsystems 144 ₁-144 _(n). By the algorithm for automatic objectidentification (e.g., by means of the object determination unit 130) andposition determination, e.g., the sender (e.g., the object) of the radiomessage is identified and its position is determined. For the detectedobjects, e.g., a respective detection or identification probability isindicated. Finally, the text message 112 of the radio message 110 isallocated to the respective object.

Detected objects and messages 112 are output as output (e.g., outputunit 150). The following options exist:

-   -   a) Interface Data Protocol 152—The interface can be any defined        interface or protocol allowing integration of the system in        other systems.    -   b) Internal Graphical Interface 154—The system can also include        an own proprietary graphic illustration of determined data (own        graphical illustration on a monitor/output location 155).

The following FIGS. 3 to 5 represent a possible illustration of thegraphical interface 154 based on a maritime application. Otherapplications, e.g., in aviation or other fields of application, wouldfollow the same logic.

FIG. 3 shows a graphic illustration of a transcribed radio message 112(e.g., text signal) of a watercraft identified as sender (100%identification probability 135 (e.g., detection probability)) in anelectronic nautical chart 153 according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. Further, an object or object identification 132 andoptionally position information 142 are allocated to the radio message112.

FIG. 4 shows a graphic illustration of a transcribed radio message 112(e.g., text signal) with three possible watercrafts (e.g., objects 200 ₁to 200 ₃) in an electronic nautical chart 153, wherein the transcribedradio message 112 is allocated to the object 2001 with objectidentification 132 and position information 142 having a highestidentification probability 1351 of 80% (detection probability). For eachof the detected objects 200 ₁ to 200 ₃, the inventive apparatus candetermine an identification probability 135 ₁ to 135 ₃ and allocate thesame to the respective object.

FIG. 5 shows a graphic illustration of an electronic nautical chart 153when an identification of a sender cannot be determined clearly by meansof the apparatus.

According to an embodiment, the inventive apparatus 100 can be arrangedin a land station 300. By means of a radio direction finder, theapparatus can be configured to determine an area 220 where the objectfrom which the voice radio signal originates is arranged with aprobability 135, 135 ₁ to 135 ₃. According to the embodiments in FIGS. 3to 5, the area 220 can be a signal-beam determined by means of a radiodirection finder.

FIG. 6 shows a block diagram of a method 1000 for processing a voiceradio signal, wherein the method comprises conversion 1100 of the voiceradio signal into a text signal by means of a transcription unit.Further, the method 1000 comprises determination 1200 of an object fromwhich the voice radio signal originates by means of an objectdetermination unit. Further, the method 1000 comprises determination1300 of position information of the object from which the voice radiosignal originates by means of an object localization unit, allocation1400 of the text signal to the object and provision 1500 of the textsignal allocated to the object by means of an output unit.

Although some aspects have been described in the context of anapparatus, it is obvious that these aspects also represent a descriptionof the corresponding method, such that a block or device of an apparatusalso corresponds to a respective method step or a feature of a methodstep. Analogously, aspects described in the context of a method stepalso represent a description of a corresponding block or detail orfeature of a corresponding apparatus. Some or all of the method stepsmay be performed by a hardware apparatus (or using a hardwareapparatus), such as a microprocessor, a programmable computer or anelectronic circuit. In some embodiments, some or several of the mostimportant method steps may be performed by such an apparatus.

Depending on certain implementation requirements, embodiments of theinvention can be implemented in hardware or in software. Theimplementation can be performed using a digital storage medium, forexample a floppy disk, a DVD, a Blu-Ray disc, a CD, an ROM, a PROM, anEPROM, an EEPROM or a FLASH memory, a hard drive or another magnetic oroptical memory having electronically readable control signals storedthereon, which cooperate or are capable of cooperating with aprogrammable computer system such that the respective method isperformed. Therefore, the digital storage medium may be computerreadable.

Some embodiments according to the invention include a data carriercomprising electronically readable control signals, which are capable ofcooperating with a programmable computer system, such that one of themethods described herein is performed.

Generally, embodiments of the present invention can be implemented as acomputer program product with a program code, the program code beingoperative for performing one of the methods when the computer programproduct runs on a computer.

The program code may, for example, be stored on a machine readablecarrier.

Other embodiments comprise the computer program for performing one ofthe methods described herein, wherein the computer program is stored ona machine readable carrier.

In other words, an embodiment of the inventive method is, therefore, acomputer program comprising a program code for performing one of themethods described herein, when the computer program runs on a computer.

A further embodiment of the inventive method is, therefore, a datacarrier (or a digital storage medium or a computer-readable medium)comprising, recorded thereon, the computer program for performing one ofthe methods described herein. The data carrier, the digital storagemedium, or the computer-readable medium are typically tangible ornon-volatile.

A further embodiment of the inventive method is, therefore, a datastream or a sequence of signals representing the computer program forperforming one of the methods described herein. The data stream or thesequence of signals may, for example, be configured to be transferredvia a data communication connection, for example via the Internet.

A further embodiment comprises a processing means, for example acomputer, or a programmable logic device, configured to or adapted toperform one of the methods described herein.

A further embodiment comprises a computer having installed thereon thecomputer program for performing one of the methods described herein.

A further embodiment in accordance with the invention includes anapparatus or a system configured to transmit a computer program forperforming at least one of the methods described herein to a receiver.The transmission may be electronic or optical, for example. The receivermay be a computer, a mobile device, a memory device or a similar device,for example. The apparatus or the system may include a file server fortransmitting the computer program to the receiver, for example.

In some embodiments, a programmable logic device (for example a fieldprogrammable gate array, FPGA) may be used to perform some or all of thefunctionalities of the methods described herein. In some embodiments, afield programmable gate array may cooperate with a microprocessor inorder to perform one of the methods described herein. Generally, themethods are performed by any hardware apparatus. This can be auniversally applicable hardware, such as a computer processor (CPU) orhardware specific for the method, such as ASIC.

The apparatuses described herein may be implemented, for example, byusing a hardware apparatus or by using a computer or by using acombination of a hardware apparatus and a computer.

The apparatuses described herein or any components of the apparatusesdescribed herein may be implemented at least partly in hardware and/orsoftware (computer program).

The methods described herein may be implemented, for example, by using ahardware apparatus or by using a computer or by using a combination of ahardware apparatus and a computer.

The methods described herein or any components of the methods describedherein may be performed at least partly by hardware and/or by software(computer program).

Further embodiments of the present invention will now be described.

A first embodiment provides an apparatus (100) for processing a voiceradio signal (110), comprising:

a transcription unit (120) configured to convert the voice radio signal(110) into a text signal (112);

an object determination unit (130) configured to determine an object(200) from which the voice radio signal (110) originates;

an object localization unit (140) configured to determine positioninformation (142) of the object (200) from which the voice radio signal(110) originates; and

an output unit (150) configured to allocate the text signal (112) to theobject (200) and to provide the same.

A second embodiment provides an apparatus (100) according to the firstembodiment, wherein the object localization unit (140) is configured todetermine an area (220) where the object is arranged with a probability(200) as position information (142) and

wherein the object localization unit (140) comprises at least onelocalization apparatus or is configured to communicate with the at leastone localization apparatus to determine a source of the voice radiosignal as the area (220).

A third embodiment provides an apparatus (100) according to the secondembodiment, wherein the localization apparatus includes at least oneradio direction finder (144 ₁ to 144 _(n)).

A fourth embodiment provides an apparatus (100) according to one of thefirst to third embodiments, wherein the object localization unit (140)is further configured to receive position data (142 b ₁ to 142 b ₅) ofobjects (200).

A fifth embodiment provides an apparatus (100) according to the fourthembodiment, wherein the object localization unit (140) comprises an AISreceiver (147), an ADS-B receiver (146), a radar unit and/or a generalposition data receiver (148) or is configured to communicate with thesame in order to receive the position data (142 b ₁ to 142 b ₅) andwherein the position data (142 b ₁ to 142 b ₅) comprise a GPS position,a route, a speed and/or an altitude relative to sea level.

A sixth embodiment provides an apparatus (100) according to one of thefirst to fifth embodiments, wherein the object determination unit (130)comprises an AIS receiver (147), an ADS-B receiver (146) and/or ageneral object identification receiver or is configured to communicatewith the same to obtain object identification data (132) of at least oneobject (200) whose position (210) at least partly matches the positioninformation (142) determined by the object localization unit (140).

A seventh embodiment provides an apparatus (100) according to the sixthembodiment, wherein the object identification data (132) comprise a callnumber of the maritime mobile service (MMSI), an object name, a targetof the object (200), a load of the object (200) and/or a size of theobject (200).

An eighth embodiment provides an apparatus (100) according to one of thefirst to seventh embodiments, wherein the object determination unit(130) is configured to determine a detection probability (135, 135 ₁ to135 ₃) for at least one object (200) whose position (210) at leastpartly matches the determined position information (142), and

wherein the object determination unit (130) is configured to determinethe object (200) with the highest detection probability (135, 135 ₁ to135 ₃) as the object (200) from which the voice radio signal (110)originates.

A ninth embodiment provides an apparatus (100) according to the eighthembodiment, wherein the detection probability (135, 135 ₁ to 135 ₃)defines a degree of correspondence of the determined positioninformation (142) with an actual position (210) of an object (200)and/or

wherein the object determination unit (130) is configured to determinethe detection probability (135, 135 ₁ to 135 ₃) based on probabilitiesof a correct position information (142) of the object localization unit(140).

A tenth embodiment provides an apparatus (100) according to one of thefirst to ninth embodiments, wherein the object determination unit (130)is configured to communicate with the transcription unit (120) todetermine object identification data (132) of the object (200) from thetext signal (112).

An eleventh embodiment provides an apparatus (100) according to one ofthe first to tenth embodiments, wherein the transcription unit (120) isconfigured to extract a speech pattern code (122) from the voice radiosignal (110) and to provide the same to the object determination unit(130),

wherein the object determination unit (130) is configured to determinethe object (200) from which the voice radio signal (110) originatesbased on the speech pattern code (122).

A twelfth embodiment provides an apparatus (100) according to one of thefirst to eleventh embodiments, wherein the transcription unit (120) isconfigured to use a neuronal network to convert the voice radio signal(110) into a text signal (112).

A thirteenth embodiment provides an apparatus (100) according to one ofthe first to twelfth embodiments, wherein the apparatus (100) isconfigured to process at least two voice radio signals (110)simultaneously and/or offset in time, and

wherein the output unit (150) is configured to allocate at least twotext signals (112) of the at least two voice radio signals (110) to therespective object (200) and to provide them chronologically to theapparatus (100) via a user interface (155) and/or to store the same in adatabase.

A fourteenth embodiment provides an apparatus (100) according to one ofthe first to thirteenth embodiments, wherein the output unit (150) isconfigured to provide both the text signal (112), an allocated object(200), a position (210) of the object (200) as well as an input time ofthe voice radio signals via a user interface (155) to the apparatus(100) and/or to store the same in a database.

A fifteenth embodiment provides an apparatus (100) according to one ofthe first to fourteenth embodiments, wherein the object (200) forms aship, an airplane or a vehicle.

A sixteenth embodiment provides a method (1000) for processing a voiceradio signal, the method comprising the following steps:

converting (1100) the voice radio signal into a text signal by means ofa transcription unit;

determining (1200) an object from which the voice radio signaloriginates by means of an object determination unit;

determining (1300) position information of the object from which thevoice radio signal originates by means of an object localization unit;and

allocating (1400) the text signal to the object and providing (1500) thetext signal allocated to the object by means of an output unit.

A seventeenth embodiment provides a computer program with a program codefor performing the method according to the sixteenth embodiment when theprogram runs on a computer.

While this invention has been described in terms of several advantageousembodiments, there are alterations, permutations, and equivalents, whichfall within the scope of this invention. It should also be noted thatthere are many alternative ways of implementing the methods andcompositions of the present invention. It is therefore intended that thefollowing appended claims be interpreted as including all suchalterations, permutations, and equivalents as fall within the truespirit and scope of the present invention.

1. An apparatus for processing a voice radio signal, comprising: atranscription unit configured to convert the voice radio signal into atext signal; an object determination unit configured to determine anobject from which the voice radio signal originates; an objectlocalization unit configured to determine position information of theobject from which the voice radio signal originates, wherein the objectlocalization unit comprises at least one radio direction finder; anoutput unit configured to allocate the text signal to the object and toprovide the same; and wherein the object determination unit isconfigured to determine a detection probability for at least one objectwhose position at least partly matches the determined positioninformation, wherein the detection probability defines a degree ofcorrespondence of the position information, determined by means of theobject localization unit, with the actual position of an object, andwherein the object determination unit is configured, with a very similardetection probability, to determine all objects with the similardetection probability as the object, wherein the output unit isconfigured in this case to allocate all these objects with the similardetection probability to the text signal and to also state the detectionprobability, respectively.
 2. The apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the object localization unit is configured to determine an areawhere the object is arranged with a probability as position informationand wherein the object localization unit comprises at least onelocalization apparatus or is configured to communicate with the at leastone localization apparatus to determine a source of the voice radiosignal as the area.
 3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein thelocalization apparatus comprises at least one radio direction finder. 4.The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the object localization unitis further configured to receive position data of objects.
 5. Theapparatus according to claim 4, wherein the object localization unitfurther comprises an AIS receiver, an ADS-B receiver, a radar unitand/or a general position data receiver or is configured to communicatewith the same in order to receive the position data and wherein theposition data comprise a GPS position, a route, a speed and/or analtitude relative to sea level.
 6. The apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the object determination unit comprises an AIS receiver, anADS-B receiver and/or a general object identification receiver or isconfigured to communicate with the same to acquire object identificationdata of at least one object whose position at least partly matches theposition information determined by the object localization unit.
 7. Theapparatus according to claim 6, wherein the object identification datacomprise a call number of the maritime mobile service, an object name, atarget of the object, a load of the object and/or a size of the object.8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detection probabilitydefines a degree of correspondence of the determined positioninformation with an actual position of an object and/or wherein theobject determination unit is configured to determine the detectionprobability based on probabilities of correct position information ofthe object localization unit.
 9. The apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the object determination unit is configured to communicate withthe transcription unit to determine object identification data of theobject from the text signal.
 10. The apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the transcription unit is configured to extract a speech patterncode from the voice radio signal and to provide the same to the objectdetermination unit, wherein the object determination unit is configuredto determine the object from which the voice radio signal originatesbased on the speech pattern code.
 11. The apparatus according to claim1, wherein the transcription unit is configured to use a neuronalnetwork to convert the voice radio signal into a text signal.
 12. Theapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured toprocess at least two voice radio signals simultaneously and/or offset intime, and wherein the output unit is configured to allocate at least twotext signals of the at least two voice radio signals to the respectiveobject and to provide the same chronologically to the apparatus via auser interface and/or to store the same in a database.
 13. The apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the output unit is configured to provideboth the text signal, an allocated object, a position of the object aswell as an input time of the voice radio signals to the apparatus via auser interface and/or to store the same in a database.
 14. The apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the object is a ship, an airplane or avehicle.
 15. A method for processing a voice radio signal, the methodcomprising: converting the voice radio signal into a text signal bymeans of a transcription unit; determining an object from which thevoice radio signal originates by means of an object determination unit;determining position information of the object from which the voiceradio signal originates by means of an object localization unit, whereinthe object localization unit comprises at least one radio directionfinder; and allocating the text signal to the object and providing thetext signal allocated to the object by means of an output unit; whereindetermining the object comprises determining a detection probability forat least one object whose position at least partly matches thedetermined position information and with a very similar detectionprobability, determining all objects with the highest detectionprobability as the object from which the voice radio signal originates,wherein the detection probability defines a degree of correspondence ofthe position information, determined by means of the object localizationunit, with the actual position of an object, and wherein in this case ofvery similar detection probabilities all these objects with the similardetection probability are allocated to the text signal and the detectionprobability is also stated, respectively.
 16. A non-transitory digitalstorage medium having a computer program stored thereon to perform themethod for processing a voice radio signal, the method comprising:converting the voice radio signal into a text signal by means of atranscription unit; determining an object from which the voice radiosignal originates by means of an object determination unit; determiningposition information of the object from which the voice radio signaloriginates by means of an object localization unit, wherein the objectlocalization unit comprises at least one radio direction finder; andallocating the text signal to the object and providing the text signalallocated to the object by means of an output unit; wherein determiningthe object comprises determining a detection probability for at leastone object whose position at least partly matches the determinedposition information and with a very similar detection probability,determining all objects with the highest detection probability as theobject from which the voice radio signal originates, wherein thedetection probability defines a degree of correspondence of the positioninformation, determined by means of the object localization unit, withthe actual position of an object, and wherein in this case of verysimilar detection probabilities all these objects with the similardetection probability are allocated to the text signal and the detectionprobability is also stated, respectively, when said computer program isrun by a computer.